Alaska Rattled by 7.3 Quake: Tsunami Advisory Sparks Coastal Precautions

Emergency alerts and evacuations followed a powerful earthquake off Alaska’s southern coast, prompting a tsunami advisory across remote communities.

A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Alaska’s southern coast on Wednesday, prompting a tsunami advisory across a 700-mile stretch from southwest of Homer to Unimak Pass.

Initially classified as a tsunami warning by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the alert was later downgraded to an advisory after further analysis. The US Geological Survey confirmed the quake’s magnitude and reported widespread tremors throughout the region.

The advisory affected sparsely populated areas, including Kodiak, home to around 5,200 residents. Officials in the Pacific Northwest also assessed potential threats to their coastlines, though no danger was reported.

The first waves were expected to reach Sand Point, a village of 580 people on Popof Island in the Aleutian chain. However, an hour after the quake, Alaska’s emergency management division reported no damage.

“We’ve seen similar quakes that didn’t produce significant tsunami waves,” said spokesperson Jeremy Zidek, “but we’re taking this seriously and ensuring communities are notified to activate evacuation procedures.”

In Unalaska, a fishing town of 4,100, residents were urged to move 50 feet above sea level and at least one mile inland. Alerts were also issued in King Cove, advising coastal residents to seek higher ground.

The Kodiak Police Department posted on social media, directing evacuees to shelters at local schools. Meanwhile, Washington Emergency Management confirmed no threat to the state after reviewing data from DART buoys, and Oahu Emergency Management echoed that Hawaii was safe.

Although some Anchorage residents received emergency alerts, officials clarified there was no threat to Alaska’s largest city.